Dental assistance programs elderly

Thousands of people have turned to crowdfunding as a great way to find financial relief for unexpected dental costs. There is no shame in asking those who care about you for help—and in fact, your story can be so powerful that even strangers may be moved to donate. Crowdfunding also means you receive support from your community, which can be priceless in a time of need. Do research on the best crowdfunding sites to determine one that works for your needs.

Consider using online fundraising to help cover the cost of expensive dental work, and use the following medical fundraising tips to make sure your fundraiser is a success:. The Health Resources and Services Administration provides access to a network of dental clinics for those who qualify.

Income restrictions apply, and not all dental services may be offered in your location. Another resource for finding a low-cost clinic near you is through the NeedyMeds dental clinic database , containing information for over 4, clinics—some of which are funded by state or federal grants.

There are also many charities that offer financial assistance, including help with braces costs, for dental work that insurance may not always cover. Below are a few organizations that may be able to help. Established in , this organization focuses on offering financial assistance for braces to youth in need. Some have income limit requirements, but many will accept patients of any income level, though you may be charged a fee relative to what you can afford. You can search for clinics in your area through NeedyMeds.

The Donated Dental Services program from the Dental Lifeline Network provides free help for seniors who can't afford dental treatment and are ineligible for state assistance. The program has thousands of dentists across the country volunteering to help seniors with their oral care needs. You may qualify if you are over 65, disabled, or medically fragile.

Finding affordable housing can be a major challenge for older Americans. The Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD offers a number of programs that provide rent help for seniors and are designed to help low-income people secure decent and safe housing. It's important to note that demand for government-assisted housing far outstrips supply. Wait lists of two to five years or more are not uncommon, so try to plan ahead as far as possible.

Is your mortgage owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac? If you don't have much equity in your home and you owe as much or more on your mortgage than your home is currently worth, you may be able to refinance under one of these programs and get a lower interest rate or a shorter-term loan.

To qualify, you must be current on your payments, and your loan-to-value ratio must meet a minimum threshold. A reverse mortgage can provide financial help for seniors on fixed incomes or limited incomes who have built up significant equity in their homes. With a reverse mortgage, you borrow against the value of your home and receive either a one-time sum or a series of monthly payments. You retain ownership of the home and can use the money for any expenses; you can even use it to pay the remaining balance on your traditional mortgage.

The loan does not have to be repaid until you move out or pass away. Keep in mind that the loan does become due if you live anywhere else, such as in a care facility, for a month period.

You have to be at least 62 to qualify for a reverse mortgage. The vast majority of seniors want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. But every home needs regular maintenance and upkeep, and as people age they may require adaptations in their homes to accommodate their changing needs.

Finding the money for changes and repairs can be challenging, but there are many different senior assistance programs that can help. Every state has at least one Area Agency on Aging AAA office that can help older residents with a range of needs, including home modifications and repairs. The office should be able to help you find services that may be offered for free or on a sliding scale; they could include anything from replacing roofs and hot water tanks to installing wheelchair ramps and grab bars.

You must be at least 60 years old to be eligible; income limits also apply. Charities and non-profit organizations often provide free or low-cost home repair services to seniors. You may also be able to find volunteer home repair services in your area through a simple Internet search. Another option is to get a federally insured loan known as a Title I loan to help with the cost of repairs and modifications.

These low-interest loans are offered by private banks and lenders but insured by the Federal Housing Administration, making them more accessible to people who might not otherwise qualify for credit. Additional help for seniors' home repairs is available through the federal government's Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program also known as Section To qualify, you must be over age 62, have an income below a certain limit, live in an eligible area, and be unable to get affordable credit anywhere else.

Home modification help for disabled seniors who served in the armed forces is also available. Disabled veterans may qualify for special grants to cover the cost of home modifications that are deemed to be medically necessary. The disability doesn't have to be service-related, but a Veterans Affairs doctor must stipulate that the modification is necessary.

Note that Medicare does not pay for home modifications, though in some cases it will pay for the services of an occupational therapist who can assess a home and decide what changes are needed. Seniors can also get help with home improvements that enable them to save on utility costs. The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income seniors lower their bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

LIHEAP benefits differ by state: Some only provide help with monthly energy bills, while others also allow qualified participants to use the funds to fix things like leaky windows or broken air conditioners.

Be sure to check what's available in your area. Household chores like cooking and cleaning get increasingly challenging as people get older, and even basic tasks like bathing, dressing, or using the toilet can become problematic. Household help for seniors living alone or with others can keep older adults in familiar surroundings and allow them to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Home care services can provide the level of care that seniors need to remain safe and comfortable in their own homes. Older adults who need assistance getting to appointments, attending to personal hygiene, or remembering to take medications can hire a provider to help serve those needs. Costs depend on the type of service required. Dentists will sometimes perform work pro bono for a small number of local patients that fit an exacting profile.

Pro bono means for the public good and could translate into services performed without charge for low-income families. However, it pays to learn the limitations and hidden agendas sometimes baked into specific free service offerings.

While you might find a prosthodontist willing to provide pro bono services, other providers are involved in the process. Free dentures for the poor is yet another example of misleading headlines you might find elsewhere online. Your local dentist might provide some level of pro bono work to help you replace missing teeth, but do not expect to pay zero. Dentures require expensive fabrication by an outside lab that charges the dentist for the service.

It is unrealistic to expect your local provider to swallow these costs on your behalf. However, zero-cost diagnostics and installation of dentures are not unreasonable because the dentist is merely donating his or her time and expertise. Free dental braces for adults could prove very difficult to find. However, parents with children entering their teenage years could find multiple resources offering financial assistance with orthodontia.

Finding a nearby dental office that offers free cleanings should prove simple. However, dentists offering this service pro bono could be more about growing their practice than performing a public service.

Dentists frequently send mailers to homes in their service area advertising cleanings prophylaxis at no cost to bring new patients into the office. Look in your mailbox or visit online coupon sites for similar offers — they are everywhere.

Try not to invest too much time chasing after local dental schools that perform work for free. Many online resources include headlines suggesting this is true across the country.

However, when you follow the links, you will find that most clinics charge patients — with perhaps some consideration for their ability to pay. Dental schools do recruit residents so their students can practice their craft under the supervision of faculty.

However, each college-based clinic determines fees and the eligibility criteria for any discounted work. The American Dental Education Association publishes a state-by-state list of accredited programs. Learn how to access free, routine dental care for eligible seniors 65 years or older, through the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. The program is designed to support low-income seniors. In person dental visits may still be limited during this time for the safety of dental care providers and patients.

If you are enrolled in the Ontario Seniors Dental Care program , please contact your local public health unit by phone for assistance with your dental needs and more information on the gradual restart of services in your area. It provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older. Dental prosthetics prosthodontic services , including dentures, will be partially covered.

Please speak to your local public health unit for more information. Your coverage will end on July 31 st every year, no matter when you enroll. Learn more about renewing your yearly coverage.